David Moyes' side had not lost in the league since 11 January and would have leapfrogged their neighbours into seventh had they celebrated their manager's ten-year stay at the helm with victory at Anfield. It was not to be, however, with Gerrard's only top-flight goals of 2012 earning his side their first league victory since January.

The England midfielder opened the scoring on 34 minutes, pouncing on Martin Kelly's partially cleared shot and flighting a delightful effort over the retreating Tim Howard. There was far less craft about his second, a thumping drive into the roof of the net from close range six minutes into the second half, and he finished off a Luis Suárez centre in added time to complete his hat-trick.

Kenny Dalglish's side are still ten points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal FC and the final UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.

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